How Fat Hormones Affect Appetite, Inflammation, and Heart Health

In this Metabolic Classroom lecture, Dr. Ben Bikman explores the critical yet often overlooked role of fat tissue as an endocrine organ, not just a passive energy storage site. Fat secretes dozens of bioactive hormones, collectively called adipokines, that influence everything from appetite and insulin sensitivity to inflammation and cardiovascular risk. He focuses primarily on leptin, adiponectin, and PAI-1 (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1), detailing how each one affects whole-body metabolism and health. Leptin, produced by fat cells, signals the brain about the body’s energy stores, affecting long-term appetite and fertility more than immediate satiety. Paradoxically, individuals with obesity often have high leptin levels but suffer from leptin resistance, leading to persistent hunger and metabolic dysfunction. In contrast, adiponectin levels decrease as fat mass increases. Adiponectin plays a powerful protective role by enhancing insulin sensitivity, reducing inflammation, and promoting fat metabolism, making it a key marker of good metabolic health. Ben also highlights PAI-1, a lesser-known adipokine secreted mainly by visceral fat, which inhibits the breakdown of blood clots, thereby raising cardiovascular disease risk. He further discusses other adipokines such as resistin, TNF-alpha, and angiotensinogen, which link excess fat mass to insulin resistance, inflammation, and hypertension. Finally, he contrasts subcutaneous fat (more benign) with visceral fat (more harmful) and explains how brown fat offers unique metabolic benefits by promoting thermogenesis and thyroid hormone activation. The location and health of fat tissue matter just as much as its quantity. Show Notes/References: For complete show notes and references, we invite you to become a Ben Bikman Insider subscriber. As a subscriber, you’ll enjoy real-time, livestream Metabolic Classroom access which includes live Q&A after the lecture with Ben, ad-free podcast episodes, show notes and references, Ben’s Research Reviews Podcast, and a searchable archive that includes all Metabolic Classroom episodes and Research Reviews. Learn more: https://www.benbikman.com #FatHormones #Leptin #Adiponectin #PAI1 #MetabolicHealth #FatLoss #InsulinResistance #Endocrinology #ObesityScience #SubcutaneousFat #VisceralFat #BrownFat #CardiovascularHealth #Inflammation #GlucoseControl #Ceramides #HormoneHealth #FatStorage #DrBenBikman #KetoScience Ben’s favorite yerba maté and fiber supplement: https://ufeelgreat.com/usa/en/c/1BA884 Ben’s favorite meal-replacement shake: https://gethlth.com (discount: BEN10) Ben’s favorite electrolytes (and more): https://redmond.life (discount: BEN15) Ben’s favorite allulose source: https://rxsugar.com (discount: BEN20) Ben’s favorite health check-up for women: https://choosejoi.co/drben15 (discount: DRBEN15) Ben’s favorite health check-up for men: https://blokes.co/drben15 (discount: DRBEN15) Ben’s favorite exogenous ketone: https://www.americanketone.com (discount: BEN10) Ben’s favorite dress shirts and pants: https://toughapparel.com/?ref=40 (use BEN10 for 10% off) Other products Ben likes: https://www.amazon.com/shop/benbikmanphd Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.